Rehousing, of necessity on the same sites, on the same total area, and at an economic rent, but providing separate accommodation for families and members of families, would probably do more to reduce the tuberculosis morbidity and mortality figures than any other measure,
128. The relative importance of tuberculosis as a cause of death in the Colony has increased steadily since 1948, reaching its peak in 1951. The year under review showed a decrease. Below the same trend is shown in the death-rate from tuber- culosis per 100,000 estimated population.
Your
% deaths dor to coberemtasis
D/R per 100,000
1948-***.***ter
14.6
108.9
1949.
16.0
140.6
1950........****
17.7
144
20.0
209
1952..........................
18.4
158.8
Morbidity.
132. The number of notifications received showed a slight increase as compared with last year, by far the majority originating in Government institutions. Notifications from private practitioners still constituted a surprisingly small proportion of the total. The figures for 1951 and 1952 are as follows:
1952
Government Tuberculosis Clinica
Government Institutions
Harcourt 3,948 Kowloon 3,534
1951
$,858
3.038
6,144
5,522
Non-Government Institutions
301
524
Private Practitioners
894
941
Total
14,821
13,896
129. It is probable that the sharp rise in the mortality rate in 1951 resulted from the sudden rise of population in the preceding year, the effects of which are now decreasing, with a resulting fall of the rate to a more normal figure.
130. The age distribution of deaths from tuberculosis (all forms) remained substantially unchanged. Tuberculous meningitis, however, accounted for an increased percentage of the total, whilst tuberculosis, other forms, remained unchanged. Respiratory tuberculosis still accounted for the majority of deaths. The greatest mortality from respiratory tuberculosis occurred in infants under 6 years of age, female deaths being more numerous than those in males. At all other ages deaths among males were more numerous, this being particularly noticeable in the 40-44 age group where male deaths reached their highest level.
131. In appendices 8, 9, 10, are set forth notifications and deaths from tuberculosis.
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133. Notifications of respiratory
tuberculosis showed
maximum incidence in the 20 - 40 age group, falling off gradually thereafter. The incidence was higher in males at all ages, the disparity being less marked in the younger age groups. This was probably due to the marked preponderance of males in the Colony. This male preponderance is due to men coming to the Colony in search of work but leaving wives and families behind in their villages in China. This factor does not affect the younger age group so that among children the incidence rates for males and females are more closely approximated.
Out-patient Facilities.
WAS
134. The only large scale free diagnostic service provided at two Government Tuberculosis Clinics in Harcourt Health Centre and the recently constructed clinic in Kowloon. Each employed four medical officers who were also available for staffing the four additional sub-clinics operated in outlying districts which were open once per week. One medical officer visited St. John Hospital, Cheung Chau, to carry on the treat- ment of tuberculosis patients there.
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